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Glass in Falafel Results in Large Fine

Released on 1 Oct 2008

A fast food stall owner whose business served a falafel sandwich containing glass was fined £3,000 by Oxford Magistrates' Court on Friday 26 September 2008.

Mohammed Ali of Temple Road, Cowley, Oxford pleaded guilty to three charges of breaching food hygiene regulations, including serving food unfit for human consumption.

£1,000 for each offence

The court fined Mr Ali £1,000 for each offence and ordered him to pay £50 costs, £100 compensation to the customer and a £15 victim surcharge.

On Monday 23 July 2007, a customer bought a falafel sandwich containing glass from Mr Ali's stall - the Falafel House in Gloucester Green, Oxford.

The customer noticed that the first two mouthfuls of the sandwich were very crunchy and had to spit the third mouthful out after cutting his mouth on something hard. When he looked at the food he saw that it contained small pieces of glass.

After receiving the complaint, an environmental health officer visited the stall and discovered that open food was being stored directly below a heavily chipped glass shelf. The unsafe shelf was seized and legal proceedings initiated.

Serious lapse in food standards

Ian Wright, Public Health Team Manager at Oxford City Council, said: "This case involved a serious lapse in food safety standards that resulted in harm to an unfortunate individual.

"It is essential that the public have confidence in food businesses in Oxford and they will be assured we will always take legal action whenever we discover unsafe conditions.

"If someone has a complaint that needs investigating, please contact our Public Health Team on 01865 252887.

"The City Council also offers food safety training courses for businesses. For full details, please contact us on 01865 252887."

Mr Ali is now working with the environmental health team to improve standards.

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